East Bengal Roar Back In The Title Race With Thumping Victory Over Chennai City FC

East Bengal roared back into the I-League title race with a thumping 7-1 victory over Chennai City FC at the Yuba Bharati Kridangan on Saturday(24, Feb).

Chennai City, who were unbeaten in their last five matches, were left searching for answers as the Red and Gold brigade proved too hot to handle.

Requiring a victory to stay afloat in the title race, East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dudu Omagbemi spearheading the attack.

It took the home side just 20 minutes to draw first blood. Lalramchullova's long ball found an unmarked Al-Amna outside the box, who made a darting run before forcing a double save of Chennai keeper Kabir. However, unluckily for the keeper, the rebound fell to the Syrian who guided the ball into the back of the net.

Minutes later, it was the same combo of Al-Amna and Chullova who struck gold. Amna's through ball found Chullova in space on the left, whose left-footed low cross was put into the back of his net by Ravanan.

Two goals in the span of three minutes took the sting out of Chennai City as East Bengal pushed for more.

Just after the 30-minute mark, it was time for the Dudu Omagbemi show. Opening his account in the 32nd minute, it took Dudu just 25 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

All three goals were a result of his poacher's instinct- proving once more that class is permanent.

Going 5-0 down, Chennai City pulled one back through substitute Mashoor Thanglakath in the 59th minute- which was nothing more than a consolation goal.

A minute later, at the other end of the pitch, it was Dudu who scored his fourth goal of the day. Mehtab Singh headed the ball down in his path from a Katsumi Yusa corner before Dudu calmly slotted the ball home with his left foot.

In the 84th minute, substitute Gabriel Fernandes heaped more misery on Chennai City as he found the back of the net through a sweetly struck right-footed shot.

With the help of this win, East Bengal leapfrogged Minerva Punjab to climb to the 2nd spot in the I-League standings with 29 points from 16 games, 2 points behind league leaders NEROCA FC. East Bengal will next lock horns with Shillong Lajong away on 5th Match.